The Rinnegan is the kekkei genkai of the Uzumaki clan, but it only activates in the males of the clan, and even that occurrence is so rare that it only happens once every few centuries.

The Rinnegan is one of the three great dōjutsu in the series and said to be the most powerful of all of them. Its occurrence is so rare that many people once believed its existence was only a legend or a mutation.
The Rinnegan is characterized by a ripple-like pattern around the pupil, with a light purple iris and sclera. In addition to enabling the user to quickly master various jutsu, the user may also use all six forms of chakra nature transformation which literally allows its user to use any technique they wish. It also allows the user to use all of the six paths techniques, a series of ninjutsu unique to the Rinnegan user. Like the Sharingan and the Byakugan, the Rinnegan also allows the user to see chakra, including otherwise hidden barriers. The possessor of the Rinnegan can also control the seventh path of Pain, who is "beyond life and death", that can use the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, which allows the Rinnegan user to revive all people who have recently died.

A Rinnegan user is able to see each of the six individual path's body's field of vision, coordinating the bodies with extremely precise planning, even during battles. Due to this effect, unlike the Byakugan, the Rinnegan does not have a blind spot, as long as the bodies are looking in every direction or at least one body is looking at the desired target. Because of this advantage, an opponent must blind one body, or distract all others in order for a blind spot to be opened. The animals summoned by the Animal Path also possessed the Rinnegan, suggesting that the Rinnegan controlled and could see through them as well. While the Sharingan and to a greater extent the Mangekyō Sharingan can translate some of the text on the tablet the Sage left behind, only the Rinnegan can fully read the words on it.

The Rinnegan is the kekkei genkai of the Uzumaki clan, but it only activates in the males of the clan, and even that occurrence is so rare that it only happens once every few centuries.